Military shipping vehicles to Big Island for annual training exercises in June

The Hawaiʻi Army National Guard will be preparing for its annual training exercises by shipping its vehicles and equipment from Oʻahu to Hawaiʻi Island this month.

Convoy operations began Sunday and will continue till May 31.

Vehicles came in from Kawaihae Harbor in Kohala and will be driven to Pōhakuloa Training Area and then down to the Keaukaha Military Reservation in Hilo. The 10-vehicle convoys will travel within the window of 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Kona, the military vehicles with trailers will be using Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway out of the harbor area and heading south, then they’ll turn onto Waikōloa Road until Māmalahoa Highway, then Daniel K. Inouye Highway, to Saddle Road until Pōhakuloa. From Pōhakuloa, the Guard will use Saddle Road heading east, then the convoy will turn onto West Puainako Street, then Kawili Street to Māmalahoa Highway, and then to Leilani Street until the military reservation.

The convoys will use the far-right lane on all roadways when possible.

Motorists are advised to be aware of the higher numbers and possible slower speeds of the military vehicles along their routes. In June, the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard will gather at Keaukaha Military Reservation and then convoy up to Pōhakuloa Training Area and perform its annual training.